Silicon-containing lithium-ion batteries

A lithium-ion battery cell comprising:

• an electrode assembly comprising:
• a) an anode comprising an anode current collector and a first silicon-containing anode active material layer disposed on a first side of the anode current collector, wherein the first silicon-containing anode active material layer comprises at least 85 atomic % silicon;
• and
• b) a cathode comprising a cathode current collector and a compressible first cathode active material layer disposed on a first side of the cathode current collector, wherein the first side of the cathode current collector is proximal to the first side of the anode current collector;
• a lithium-ion-containing electrolyte disposed between, and in contact with the anode and cathode;
• and
• a battery cell housing containing the electrode assembly and electrolyte, the housing comprises a positive battery terminal in electrical communication with the cathode and a negative battery terminal in electrical communication with the anode,
• wherein the first cathode active material layer is partially or substantially irreversibly compressible and configured to be compressible during at least one electrochemical charging event to less than 95% of its thickness prior to the at least one electrochemical charging event.